Maple v's Ash

[MattB]

I was hoping people could share there thoughts on the differences between maple and ash cues with me.

Personally I've ever only used one maple cue compared with a few ash cues.

I like the feeling of this maple cue as it seems softer than the ash cues I've used although some of those have felt nice themselves although firmer. I don't know if you'd agree?

The other thing I found with this maple cue was that when playing with side it would deflect the cue ball out a considerable distance (nearly a balls width) before starting to come back when playing with a reasonable amount of power. With any of the ash cues I've never experienced anything this bad.
Is it possible that this is just a freak cue or do all maple cues have a tendency to do this?

[cudntpotaplant]

ash cue every time

It may just be a personal preference but id always stick to an ash cue, they are alot stronger and have less "whip"than maple cues. By this i mean, when you play a shot, mainly long power shots - as you strike the cue ball the stress generated by your cue arm forcing the cue through the white ball, will make your cue bend slightly. But it could bend enough to throw the white off course.

Ash cues still have a degree of whip, but not as much as maple cues. But like you said maple cues tend to be alot smoother, but if you can clean off all the lacca off the cue, then your ash cue should be fine.

Hope this is ok.

[MattB]

Thanks for your response cudntpotaplant and sorry I haven't replied sooner.

To be honest I'm not sure that ash is stronger than maple but I do find it interesting you think it's the cue whip that determines how much the cue ball throws out when playing with side. I'll have to try a few cues and experiment I think.

Before when I was said I thought maple had a softer feel to it than ash I didn't mean smoother I meant in a 'hitting the cue ball with a marshmallow compared to a lump of steel' kind of way. But as I said I've only ever used one maple cue so I'd appreciate to know whether you'd agree with this or not.